Diezani Loses 58 More Houses To FG
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of some houses linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke
These are really trying times for former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Her assets scattered all over the country are gradually having new owners without her consent.
Few weeks after her $37.5m Banana Island Property was forfeited to the federal government, 58 more houses allegedly belonging to her have been temporarily seized.
The houses, located in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, were said to have been acquired by the ex-minister between 2011 and 2013 using front companies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed that Diezani paid $21,982,224 for the properties, adding that it believed that the funds were proceeds of crime.
However, she issued a statement last week daring EFCC to take her to court and convict her of any of the allegations. In her words “I cannot forfeit what I never owned”.
The anti-graft agency listed the properties to include 29 terraced houses comprising eight four-bedroom penthouse apartments, six three-bedroom apartments, two three-bedroom maisonettes, two twin-bedroom apartments and one four-bedroom apartment.
The houses, located at No. 7, Thurnbull Street and 5, Raymond Street, Yaba, were allegedly bought by Diezani for the United States dollar equivalent of N937m through Chapel Properties Ltd.
Other seized houses are 16 four-bedroom terraced houses in Heritage Court Estate, Plot 2C, Omerelu Street, Diobu, Government Residential Area (GRA) Phase 1 Extension, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, purchased for N928m through Blue Nile Estate Ltd.
Also Read: Diezani Forfeits 114 Billion Naira Banana Island Mansion To FG
The properties also include 13 three-bedroomed terraced houses with one-room maid’s quarters ensuite for N650m through Azinga Meadows Ltd.
In an ex parte application brought before Justice Abdulaziz Anka on Tuesday by its counsel, Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC urged the judge to order the temporary forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government.
The judge granted the temporary forfeiture order and directed that a firm should be appointed to manage the properties.
